A £1MILLION scheme to transform a town centre green space has been put forward.

Kirklees Council has come up with plans to renovate and remodel the St Peter's Church gardens.

The council has developed two different ideas and is about to submit them to the church's Diocesan Advisory Committee, which looks after church buildings, grounds and gardens, for its view.

A report to be put before the council's Cabinet tomorrow outlines the ideas.

A council spokesman said: "The gardens alongside the Parish Church are the only significant green open space within the ring road and a key space within the town centre.

"The gardens should provide an oasis of green space but use has been limited by a number of factors."

The report says the garden landscape has passed "maturity" which gives it an overgrown appearance, CCTV is blocked by parts of the garden and the secluded areas are frequented by people using drugs and alcohol.

The boundary wall also creates a barrier and entrance points don't allow a natural walk-through route.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has allocated £40,000 to fund planning, research and consultation work for the project.

The first idea is based around a central circle of grass and raises the possibility of a performance area on the lawned section.

The second idea mirrors the footprint of the church and is more formal.

The report adds: "Both designs have been drawn up to keep maximum greenery. Low planting and fewer trees are proposed to open the space up and reduce 'hidden corners' to improve public safety.

"Images could be projected on the post office building wall and used as an information board."

A notional £950,000 has been earmarked within Yorkshire Forward's Huddersfield Urban Renaissance programme with a further £300,000 being drawn from the regeneration capital budget to put the final design into reality.

The Rev Catherine Ogle, Vicar of Huddersfield, welcomed the plans.

She said: "It is very good news and long overdue.

"The gardens are in need of a facelift and there are also concerns about public safety, which is very important".

As well as local groups including the Civic Society, Town Centre Association and neighbouring Methodist Mission, local people will also have a chance to air their views.

A public consultation will be held in early December.

Analysis of the consultation will be sorted by early January and the final design will be drawn up and costed by the end of March 2007 with work starting later that year.